The Teams

Family Safety Teams are multi disciplinary and are made up of staff from the NGO and Government sectors. Most are co-located into one office area, on Police premises and supervised by Police staff.

The Supervisor reports to a District Management Team that is made up of both Government and NGOs, who are most often senior members of the contracted agency who provide staff into the FST. The Police framework within which the teams work, reflects the lead agency role that Police have in this interagency initiative.

Teams are currently based in Auckland, Counties Manukau, Hamilton, Hutt Valley, Wairarapa and Christchurch.

CHILD VICTIM Advocates


The Family Safety Team Child advocates focus on the safety of the children to ensure integrated interventions meet the needs of, and are in, the best interest of the child. Child Advocates monitor intervention plans ensuring the child’s needs and services provided to them are appropriate. They also identify service needs for children.

The Family Safety Team CYF’s social workers role is to ensure all children are safe, are adequately cared for and can develop and grow in an environment that fosters an opportunity for them to do so.

ADULT VICTIM Advocates


The Family Safety Team Victim advocates focus on the safety of the victim and their children to ensure integrated interventions meet the needs of, and are in, the best interest of the victim. They also monitor intervention plans ensuring services meet the victim’s needs. Victim Advocates evaluate services provided to victims and advocate for identified service needs.

INVESTIGATORS


The Family Safety Team Investigators role is to focus on accountability of perpetrators of family violence. They ensure adequate investigations and interventions are implemented to hold offenders accountable. Investigators also monitor counselling programmes to ensure effective offender participation.